Steering Hong Kong Towards Sustainable Ports: Strategies for a Greener Future
Day 2 : 14:40 – 15:30
As global awareness of environmental challenges continues to grow, the maritime industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices for a greener future. Hong Kong, being a major international port hub, plays a crucial role in driving this transformation.
Ports face several pressing issues, including port congestion, climate and weather risks, environmental pressure, increasing competitiveness, and the need for rapid adoption of new technologies. Managing the transition to green fuels is of paramount importance, but digitalization also plays a vital role in verifying the use of these fuels.
Ports serve as vital nodes in the global supply chain, facilitating global trade. To ensure the resilience of the global supply chain, it has become evident that many challenges can be addressed through the implementation of smart port strategies. Some examples include:
- Reducing the environmental impact of idle ships via predictive technologies, the planning and scheduling of vessels’ arrivals to implement Just-In-Time Port Call standards.
- The use of big data / IoT to improve efficiency in system operations, ultimately saving costs.
- The integration of intelligent port infrastructure with smart sensors to allow the use of automated unmanned vehicles at ports, shore power to reduce emissions, intelligent lightning for energy efficiency and savings.
Learnings
- Which key components of smart ports development need to be prioritized?
- Is industry-wide collaboration among port operators possible or will ports develop in siloes?
- What role collaboration can play in digitalization?
- How to leverage 5G capabilities to enable digital port transformation?
- How does Hong Kong come into play? What are other examples of successful smart ports?
- How can the transition to green energy, through use of biodiesel, electrification and hydrogen, support ports reducing their carbon footprint?
Post-event Actions:
- Engage with fellow delegates to explore joint initiatives for sustainable port development.
- Promote policy changes that prioritize environmental stewardship within the maritime industry.
- Take inspiration from panel discussions to implement practical solutions in your own port operations.
Speakers
Moderator
Tabitha Logan
Director of Projects
Cetus Maritime
Tabitha Logan
Cetus Maritime
Director of Projects
Tabitha is Director of Projects at Cetus Maritime, a global handysize Owner and Operator controlling over 50 vessels. The project team handles ship sale and purchase, M&A matters, ESG, and digital transformation. In addition, she is one of the Directors of the Young Professionals in Shipping Network, a nonprofit organization with over 1000 members, promoting the maritime industry through networking events, educational seminars, workshops and sporting activities. In 2019 she co-founded The Captain’s Table, Hong Kong’s global pitch competition for startups in the maritime and logistics industry. Tabitha is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders to pioneer innovative solutions that advance sustainability, efficiency and responsibility across the maritime supply chain.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
Facilitate open and collaborative dialogue between the shipping industry and startups looking at decarbonization solutions. Set a good example to my children on sustainable behaviors and environmental awareness.
Roberto Giannetta
Chairman
Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association
Roberto Giannetta
Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association
Chairman
Roberto Giannetta has 35 years of service in the shipping industry. As Chairman of the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association, Roberto represents the interests of container liner principals on numerous industry and governmental organizations (including APEC Shipping Port Network Security, Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, Article Number Association, and others) covering operational, safety, environmental, regulatory, trade, and policy matters vis-à-vis government and industry stakeholders. With a board of directors comprising CEO and MD level representatives from major shipping lines serving trades to/from Asia and the rest of the world, Roberto has a well-guided understanding of shipping liner needs, objectives, and environment.
Steven Jones
Founder
Seafarers Happiness Index
Steven Jones
Seafarers Happiness Index
Founder
Steven is a maritime expert with over thirty years experience, both at sea and ashore. The first part of his career was spent as a navigation officer, primarily on cable ships. While his career ashore spans marine fraud investigations, insurance, maritime security, and as a government advisor, providing a comprehensive view of the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
Passionate about seafarer welfare, Steven founded the Seafarers Happiness Index, a critical tool for measuring and improving crew well-being. This initiative gives voice to those at sea, facilitating the sharing of best practices and addressing industry-wide issues.
As an author, Steven has penned influential texts on maritime security, piracy, stowaways, and crime at sea. These works serve as essential resources for professionals, academics, and policymakers in the maritime sector.
In recent years, Steven has focused on sustainable shipping, collaborating with startups to develop innovative, environmentally friendly solutions. He’s actively involved in mentoring and consulting for companies tackling challenges in shipping efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Throughout his career, Steven has demonstrated a commitment to improving the maritime industry from multiple angles – operational excellence, security, crew welfare, and innovation. His diverse experience and engagement with emerging trends position him as a respected voice and thought leader in the evolving world of global shipping.
He is co-founder of Propeller Club Liverpool, a Trustee of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
- Just and Equitable Transition
- Ports Aligned with MLC
- Seafarer welfare and engagement
- Green Corridors
Sham Man Fai
Chief Operating Officer-Green Fuels & Chemicals
Towngas
Sham Man Fai
Towngas
Chief Operating Officer-Green Fuels & Chemicals
Sham Man Fai
COO of Green Fuels and Chemicals Business, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
MF has over 30 years of experience in gas utility, gas applications and technology R&D, chemical plants operations, and project management.
MF is currently leading a team in technology development for production of sustainable low carbon energy and chemicals products by utilizing waste biomass as feedstock. Products are readily available in volume with prime focus on green methanol for alternative marine fuels and green chemicals applications, complying with stringent international sustainability certification system. The business is a pioneer in Asia and is expanding its capacity to meet upcoming demand worldwide.
Sanjeev Verma
Managing Director
Landbridge Ship Management (HK) Limited
Sanjeev Verma
Landbridge Ship Management (HK) Limited
Managing Director
Capt. Sanjeev Verma is the Managing Director of Landbridge Ship Management. Sanjeev is an astute tanker industry professional with extensive knowledge of ship management, marine operations, and quality assurance. A Master Mariner with 29 years in the shipping industry, with the last 15 years in different shore roles. His previous work experience includes stints with Oil Majors and Chemical Distribution Institute as a risk assessor, heading the quality and safety department of a leading shipowner in Hong Kong, and managing a fleet of VLCC ship owners from starting and setting up their ship management business in Hong Kong. Sanjeev had completed (MBA) from Asia’s prestigious Business School – HKUST School of Business. He is an active Nautical Institute HK branch executive committee member, ICS HK Chapter Vice Chairman, and Regional sub-committees of DNV, ABS, NK, LR & BV.
Supported by
The Captains Table
The Captain’s Table is a global pitch competition for startups in the maritime and logistics space. Based in Hong Kong, with a global reach, we believe that digitalisation and decarbonisation will reshape supply chains of the future. Our ecosystem provides a collaborative platform linking corporates with innovative startups solving problems and building solutions to future proof our industry.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
We want to take an ethically sound, commercially driven approach to innovation.
Success shall be measured not just by financial success but also by impact measured against people, planet and purpose.
We have a vision of what the industry will look like in 2040, and we want to work towards being future ready.
We want to build a cluster of like minded stakeholders who take a longer term view on innovation and sustainability readiness.
General Enquiry Email Address: enquiries@captainstable.hk
General Enquiry Phone Number: 28442392
With thanks to
Towngas
Founded in 1862, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) is Hong Kong’s first public utility. Today, we are one of the largest energy suppliers in Hong Kong, supplying city gas to over 2 million customers through more than 3,700 km of gas pipelines. Besides, we are now serving more than 40 million customers in Chinese mainland. For the past years, Towngas has grown with Hong Kong, evolving from the simple gas company supplying fuel for street lamps to our current leading position in the energy industry of Chinese mainland and beyond. Expanding our business horizons in recent years, we have diversified our business into solar energy, smart energy systems, urban waste utilisation projects, and production of different green fuels.
In 2024, Towngas set up an ESG consultancy company, Climate-Tech Energy Global Consultancy Limited, to tap into the growing demand for ESG consultancy services. It offers one-stop ESG solutions, including climate strategy development, reporting and disclosure support, technical training, among others.
UN SDG goals that we align with:
- SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13 Climate Action
Legal Name:The Hong Kong & China Gas Company Limited